Heavy metals are present in the environment naturally at low levels which may not be harmful to humans. Human activities such as dumping of waste, smelting, waste incineration, vehicle exhausts, agricultural waste, fertilizers, mining activities and so on has increased the levels of heavy metals in the environment. Among all the factors that increases the concentration of heavy metals, mining activity is considered as one of the most influential anthropogenic activities which results in changes in landscapes, destruction of habitats, and contamination of soil, ambient air and water, and degradation of land resources. The presence of heavy metals in the environment. Artisanal tin mining activity has continued to increase in communities in Jos plateau state. This activity may be exposing heavy metals that may be harmful to humans and animals. The study aims to check the concentration of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) in soil, ambient air, vegetables, fish, and water samples from the mining site. The metals were also analysed in soil and air in a community close to the mining site.
Citation: Okonkwo F.O., Danladi B., Jonathan B., Ibrahim A.A., Nvau J.B. (2022) Settlements Adjoining Tin Mines in Plateau State Are Exposed to Higher Concentrations of Heavy Metals, International Journal of Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology Studies, Vol.7, No.1, pp.16-24
Keywords: Heavy Metals, Tin Mining, barkin-ladi, exposure
